More WWII British parachute wings

[SAS1]

Hello Mike,
The gold badges were given to aircrew who had to actually use their parachutes to save their life, the others were merely given to anyone who had completed their parachute course using GQ parachutes, early examples were noticeably better made.
Regards Frank

The original badges were in gold, with a horseshoe fixing and the recipients name on the reverse, awarded to members of the 'GQ Club', (those whose lives had been saved by using a GQ chute). But the GQ (Geoffrey Quilter) Company have produced several others.

The pressed steel and early enamelled badges were given to Poles, and even WAAF Parachute packers who were qualified to pack GQ Chutes at the RAF Parachute Training School (I have a photo somewhere of a WAAF Packer with an Irvin badge and GQ badge on her tie). In addition they also produced hallmarked silver badges, which are given to friends and customers of the company, and in more recent years a newer version of the coloured enamel one given away at promotional events. Probably the rarest are gold with blue enamel detail, which are all numbered and presented to employees who have given 15 years service to the company.